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 Aum Panchamritam 2024: A glorious ode to Indian classical dance - Srivatsa Shandilya e-mail: vatsaphoto@gmail.com October 2, 2024 The third edition of the annual Indian classical dance festival, Aum Panchamritam, organized by Debnrutyam Studio, took center stage in a breathtaking display of tradition and devotion. The event, held in Bangalore, brought together some of the finest exponents of Indian classical dance, weaving an intricate narrative of the age old Guru-Shishya Parampara, the sacred bond between teacher and disciple. The festival, envisioned by Debasish Pattnaik, is a vibrant celebration of the richness and diversity of India's classical dance forms.  Debasish Pattnaik & disciples Founded in 2007, Debnrutyam Studio has long been a torchbearer of classical dance, with branches in Rourkela and Bangalore and international collaborations across Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Colombia, Russia, and the US. The studio's mission is to foster cultural harmony through dance, and Aum Panchamritam 2024 further cemented its role in promoting these artistic traditions on a global platform. This year's festival commenced with an invocation to the Almighty, presented in the traditional Odissi dance form by Debasish Pattnaik and his senior disciples. The spiritual energy of the performance set the tone for an evening of divine dance offerings. Odissi: The divine bond of devotion  Guru Durga Charan Ranbir & Gayatri Ranbir The first major performance was an Odissi recital by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and his daughter/disciple, Gayatri Ranbir. They began with a Sloka dedicated to Lord Jagannath composed by Adi Shankaracharya, invoking the deity's blessings for protection and enlightenment. Guru Ranbir followed with an intense abhinaya presentation, "Mamiyam chalita vilokya," from the Geeta Govinda. The profound expressions of Krishna's love for Radha, supported by the ethereal music of Guru Ramahari Das, left the audience mesmerized. Gayatri Ranbir then took to the stage, performing the Mukhari Pallavi followed by the abhinaya piece "Bada achambita dekhili lo mita," evoking the enchanting imagery of Krishna's beauty through rhythmic movements and vivid expressions. Kathak: A dynamic expression of grace  Guru Uma Dogra & Diksha Rawat The second performance featured Guru Uma Dogra, a celebrated Kathak exponent of the Jaipur Gharana, along with her disciple Diksha Rawat. Their recital began with "Ananda Shiva," a vibrant ode to Lord Shiva, highlighting his many forms - from the serene to the wrathful. Set to raag Bageshri and taal chautaal, the Shiv Stuti was a captivating portrayal of Shiva's attributes, choreographed with finesse by Uma Dogra. The performance transitioned into a soulful Thumri, "Dagar beech kaise chaloon mag tharo Kanhaiya," based on poet Dr. Dharmaveer Bharti's Kanupriya, expressing Radha's yearning for Krishna. The delicate nuances of Kathak's abhinaya came alive through graceful hand movements, soulful glances, and intricate footwork, showing the depth of emotion between the eternal lovers Radha and Krishna. Kuchipudi: The divine power of Shakti  Guru Sanjay Shantaram & Arnav Raj Kuchipudi virtuoso, Dr. Sanjay Shantaram, alongside his prodigious disciple Arnav Raj, brought to life Amba Bhavani, a mesmerizing portrayal of the divine feminine trinity - Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Parvati - united as the supreme embodiment of Shakti. Dr. Shantaram's graceful yet commanding storytelling wove an intricate narrative of cosmic power, while Arnav Raj, with youthful brilliance, mirrored his master's finesse. Their seamless Ragamalika performance radiated both strength and elegance, creating an unforgettable symphony of movement and emotion that captured the audience's hearts. Odissi: The power of Kali  Lawrence Sackris One of the evening's standout performances came from nrutya acharya Lawrence Sackris, a prominent classical dancer from Malaysia. His presentation of Kali Mangalacharan, an Odissi invocation to the fierce goddess Kali, was a stirring display of contrasts - light and dark, creation and destruction, beauty and ferocity. The intricate footwork and expressive movements choreographed by Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, captivated the audience. Sackris followed with the traditional Odissi piece Lalita Lavanga, portraying Radha's search for Krishna with an evocative narrative filled with poetic beauty. His final presentation Moksha, was a sublime journey seeking spiritual liberation at the feet of the almighty, choreographed by Guru Debaprasad Das and performed under Pattnaik's direction. A grand masterpiece: Ardhanarishwar  Debasish Pattnaik & Srijanee Chakraborty The grand masterpiece of Aum Panchamritam 2024 was the breathtaking duet presentation of Ardhanarishwar, performed by the festival curator Debasish Pattnaik, alongside his senior disciple Srijanee Chakraborty. This Odissi masterpiece beautifully portrayed the divine balance between masculine and feminine energies, symbolized through the half-man, half-woman form of Lord Shiva. The dancers showcased extraordinary control, executing intricate choreographic patterns with precision and grace. Their flawless synchronization and striking poses left the audience mesmerized, making it a fitting presentation to the evening of classical excellence. A mesmerizing display of the Guru-Shishya Parampara The festival, centered around the sacred bond of Guru-Shishya, showcased the collaborative brilliance between teachers and disciples across different classical dance forms. From Odissi to Kathak, from the power of Kuchipudi to the serenity of Moksha, Aum Panchamritam provided an extraordinary platform for both seasoned gurus and emerging disciples to present their artistic excellence. Performances by stalwarts like gurus Durga Charan Ranbir, Uma Dogra, Debasish Pattnaik, Dr. Sanjay Shantaram and international artistes like Lawrence Sackris highlighted the festival's international scope and its mission to preserve and promote Indian classical dance globally. As the curtain fell, the event left audience enthralled, transported into a realm where tradition meets creativity, and where the ancient lineage of Guru-Shishya continues to thrive, preserving the timeless beauty of India's classical arts for future generations.  Srivatsa Shandilya is a photojournalist and director of International Arts & Cultural Foundation, Bengaluru. |
